Everyone wants glowing, healthy-looking skin, and creating a skincare routine unique to our skin's needs is the best way to achieve that goal. One ingredient that can elevate your daily regimen is squalane, an ingredient used in moisturizers, serums, and even repair treatments to provide many skin benefits.
But what is squalane, and what does it do for your skin? If you're interested in learning more about this skin-benefiting oil, our Skin Health Experts at Kate Somerville are here to help you better understand this super hydrating ingredient and how you can incorporate it into your skincare regimen. Rejuvenate your skin with a squalane-infused skincare products.
What Is Squalane?
Though squalane may be a new term to you, your skin is already up-to-date on the benefits of this ingredient—in fact, it produces it naturally! Before delving into squalane skin benefits, it's essential to understand the science behind this remarkable ingredient.
The Science Behind Squalane
What is squalane all about? Squalane is derived from squalene, a natural compound produced by our skin's sebaceous glands.1 While squalene is highly beneficial, it's prone to oxidation, making it less suitable for skincare products. To overcome this challenge, squalene is hydrogenated, turning it into a more stable and skin-friendly squalane. This transformation ensures that squalane can provide long-lasting benefits to your skin without the risk of oxidation.
When added to skincare ingredients, squalene oil, better known as squalane, directly contributes to healthy-looking skin. Squalane helps to reinforce the skin barrier's function by mimicking the skin's natural oils, preventing moisture loss and keeping harmful external irritants at bay. Daily application of squalane offers all kinds of benefits ranging from anti-aging to moisturization.
Unveiling the Benefits of Squalane for Skin Health
What does squalane do for the skin? Now that you know the science behind squalane, the skincare-ready version of squalene, let’s take a look at the health benefits of this natural product.
Anti-Aging and Wrinkle Reduction
Anti-aging products are key to keeping your skin healthy and keeping you confident. Working with peptides in age repair, squalane provides your skin with a more youthful look by smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, softening dark circles, and softening the texture of your skin. Using squalane regularly also helps minimize the formation of new wrinkles, causing your skin to look and feel better than ever. With consistent use, squalane can aid in maintaining a radiant and age-defying appearance.
Encouraging Collagen Production
Collagen, a protein that provides structure to your skin, is essential for maintaining its firmness and elasticity. As we age, collagen production naturally decreases, leading to sagging skin and the formation of wrinkles. Squalane can assist in combating this process. It encourages the production of collagen, helping to improve skin's elasticity and suppleness. This makes squalane a valuable ally in the fight against signs of aging, ensuring that your skin remains youthful and resilient.
Intense Hydration for a Supple Complexion
While squalane is lightweight, it holds just the right amount of moisturization to leave your skin supple, hydrated, and glowing. In addition, because it is so similar to squalene, a naturally produced oil, it works with your skin's natural protective barrier and shields it from harmful, external irritants.
If your skin is dehydrated, the skin's sebum formation is high, causing oily skin and clogged pores. Hydration products will protect the skin barrier and moisturizing it will give your skin a healthy glow. If you're considering adding a new moisturizer to your routine and are looking at different types of moisturizers, our Skin Health Experts recommend a moisturizer with squalane because it effectively hydrates the skin.
Calming Effects for Skin Irritation
One of the many benefits of squalane oil is that it offers soothing qualities. If you experience redness, dry or flaky skin, acne, or skin sensitivity, applying squalane regularly can help minimize and alleviate irritation. For optimal results, use Squalane in both your AM and PM skincare routines.
If you experience redness or are looking to treat a skin condition, squalane can provide relief and help reduce the appearance of these issues. Its gentle nature makes it suitable for daily use, providing consistent support for irritative skin.
Balancing Oil Production Effectively
Squalane is a hydrogenated version of squalene—an oil that your skin naturally produces. Because squalane mimics squalene oil, your skin recognizes it, and when applied regularly, it will begin to adjust its oil production to only produce what is needed. Over time, your skin will produce less oil on its own, making it an excellent option for those struggling with oily skin.
Enhancing Skin Tone and Texture
Squalane contains powerful antioxidants, which offer many benefits, including evening out your skin tone by fading dark spots and scars. Antioxidants play a crucial role in neutralizing free radicals, which can damage skin cells and accelerate the aging process. By incorporating squalane into your skincare routine, you can harness the power of these antioxidants to protect your skin from environmental stressors and maintain a more youthful appearance.
Squalane's moisturizing properties also help improve skin elasticity, further contributing to a youthful and rejuvenated complexion. Creams and serums containing squalane can promote a more even and radiant skin tone by reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation and blemishes. Add this skin care for texture and pores for glowing, even, and smooth skin.
Treating Sensitive Skin with Soothing Rejuvenation
Squalane oil is one of the most gentle moisturizing ingredients on the market, making it a great choice among sensitive skin products. Its delicate, soothing effects and anti-inflammatory properties help minimize the appearance of visible redness and irritation. Not only does this boost the appearance of your skin, but it can also alleviate any discomfort caused by irritation.
Many heavy moisturizers carry the unfortunate reputation of clogging pores and leading to acne. Lightweight in nature, squalane holds powerful moisturizing benefits and is considered non-comedogenic, making it an excellent choice for all skin types.
Using Squalane in Your Skincare Routine
Incorporating squalane into your skincare routine can be a transformative step towards healthier and more radiant skin. To maximize its benefits, it's essential to follow a structured regimen. Here's a detailed guide on how to integrate squalane effectively:
Step 1: Cleansing
Begin your skincare routine by thoroughly cleansing and toning your skin. Cleansing is crucial as it helps remove impurities, excess oil, and makeup residues that might hinder the absorption of squalane. A clean canvas allows squalane to penetrate deeply and work its magic.
Step 2: Exfoliation
If you have an exfoliation product as part of your skincare routine, apply it after cleansing. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, promoting skin renewal and allowing squalane to penetrate even more effectively. However, it's essential to use exfoliation products sparingly, as over-exfoliation can irritate the skin.
Step 3: Squalane Application
Next, apply your squalane-based hydration product. Squalane can be found in various forms, such as serums, oils, or creams. Choose a beauty product that suits your skin type and concerns. Gently massage the squalane into your skin, focusing on areas prone to dryness or fine lines. Squalane's lightweight texture ensures quick absorption without leaving a greasy residue.
Step 4: Additional Treatments and Serums
Depending on your skincare goals, you may use other treatments or serums in this step. For example, vitamin C serums can brighten your complexion, while age repair systems can help you turn back the clock. The key is to apply these products after squalane to benefit from its hydrating and protective properties as a base.
Step 5: Moisturizing
After applying treatments and serums, seal everything in with your preferred facial moisturizer. Squalane works synergistically with moisturizers, enhancing their hydrating effects. It helps lock in moisture, ensuring your skin remains supple and plump throughout the day or night.
Step 6: Sunscreen (Morning Routine)
If you're applying squalane in your morning skincare routine, it's crucial to finish with sunscreen. Sunscreen provides essential protection against harmful UV rays, preventing premature aging and maintaining the results of your skincare regimen. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF rating suitable for your skin type and daily activities.
By following these steps and incorporating squalane into your skincare routine, you can experience the full spectrum of benefits this versatile ingredient offers.
Top Squalane-Infused Products for Optimal Skin Health
To keep your skincare routine minimal, choose a product that combines more than one ingredient. To target specific concerns, opt for a squalane serum. These concentrated formulas deliver a potent dose of squalane to your skin, allowing for more intensive hydration and wrinkle reduction. Kate Somerville’s revolutionary stem cell face serum is an effective skin replenisher that moisturizes and repairs the skin barrier, reduces wrinkles and fine lines, and supports a healthy skin microbiome.
While squalane itself offers numerous benefits, combining it with other complementary ingredients can enhance its effectiveness. Our Kx Concentrates Squalane + HA is an excellent way to reap the benefits of squalane and hyaluronic acid together without adding too many extra steps to your routine.
Squalane: The Skincare Secret Ready To Replenish Your Skin
Incorporating squalane oil into your skincare routine can be a game-changer for achieving healthier, more youthful-looking skin. Its versatile benefits, including moisturization, anti-aging properties, and soothing effects, make it a valuable addition to any regimen. As a universal skincare ingredient, it complements any skin type, from acne-prone to dry skin.
Whether you're combatting signs of aging, seeking relief for sensitive skin, or simply aiming for a radiant complexion, squalane has you covered. So, embrace this skincare secret, and let squalane work its magic, helping you achieve the skin you've always desired.
Sources:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6253993/
